If you are personally dealing with a DUI, it is easy to become overwhelmed. Between the shock of an arrest and the stress of having a DUI on your record, many people simply want answers FAST. But there is more to calculating DUI lawyer cost than meets the eye. Below is a look at the true financial impact of a DUI and the single best way to minimize DUI costs.
DUI Lawyer Costs: The Average Most People Can Expect to Pay for an Experienced DUI Lawyer is $4,500.
Colorado residents can expect to pay approximately $1,500 to $3,000 in attorney fees. But that is just the tip of the iceberg for people facing a DUI. It is important to understand that there are many hidden costs that can arise following a DUI. Some people are able to greatly reduce these costs through plea bargains and acquittals:
“22% of people who hired private lawyers were able to plea bargain for lesser, non-DUI offenses. These offenses included reckless driving, ‘wet reckless’, and impaired driving. By comparison, only 7% of public-defender clients and 0% of self-represented defendants ended up with such ‘lesser’ pleas.” – Lawyers.com and Martindale-Nolo Research
Despite these statistics, some people still try to control costs by not hiring an attorney. This can prove to be a costly decision because their rate of conviction is significantly higher without a DUI lawyer. And higher conviction rates equate to increases in the costs outlined below.
More DUI Costs (That End Up Costing More Than A DUI Lawyer Would Have Costed You In The First Place).
Uncovering some of the hidden or unexpected costs that can follow a DUI is not easy. Between court costs, educational fees, and license reinstatement expenses, and other costs, you end up paying up to $18,000 depending on your DUI charge. Here is a list of things that can cost you money after a DUI.
1) Alcohol education classes
There are two levels of alcohol safety education approved by the state of Colorado Department of Human Services. Depending upon the nature of your DUI, you could be required to take Level I and/or Level II Education, Therapy, or Treatment classes. You can expect to pay roughly $150 to $1,000 for these classes.
2) Car towing and impoundment costs
Following an arrest for DUI, authorized personnel will tow and store your car until you are able to retrieve it. Costs for these two items can vary, but towing fees typically range from $150 to $200, with impoundment fees running $50 to $100 per day. If you have a heavy-duty vehicle, you can expect to pay more in towing fees.
3) Bond and bail fees
When you are arrested for DUI in Colorado, you can expect bond to be set between $1,000 and $5,000. You may also have to pay bondsman fees and jail booking fees, which can cost up to $200. If you fail to post bond or pay these fees, you will need to remain in jail until your court hearing.
4) Court fines and other court-related costs
You can expect to pay between $600 and $1,000 in court fines if you are facing your first DUI offense in Colorado. If you are a repeat DUI offender, you may face larger fines. These costs are usually higher if an injury occurred as a result of your DUI. In addition to court fines, you can expect to pay up to $2,500 in driver responsibility fees and a sentencing fee of approximately $250. Finally, you may have to pay $100 to $150 in restitution fees to help cover victim compensation costs.
5) Expenses after your court proceedings
After completing a court hearing, many people breathe a sigh of relief, thinking that their DUI costs are coming to a close. But in reality, there are costs that extend long after you leave the courtroom. Here are a few common costs you may incur after your formal DUI proceedings:
- Probation costs: Depending on the length of your probation, you may incur up to $1,200 in probation supervision costs.
- Ignition interlock device fees: You can expect to pay ignition interlock device fees to satisfy court requirements.
- License reinstatement fees: When you are eligible for license reinstatement, you will need to bring your insurance and pay $60 to the DVM.
- Higher insurance rates: You can expect your insurance rates to increase between 60 and 70 percent as a result of your DUI.
How to Best Minimize DUI Costs
As outlined above, being arrested for DUI can result in many unplanned expenses. And some of these can end up costing you money for years after your DUI. The single best way to keep costs low is to seek a skilled DUI lawyer right away. While DUI lawyer cost may be a bit intimidating at first, hiring an attorney will actually save you money and anguish over the course of time.
Contact an Experienced Denver DUI Lawyer Today
Deciding to hire a DUI attorney is the most important step in controlling your costs. The second most important step is to take action right away. If you wait too long to hire a DUI lawyer, you could find yourself facing jail time, loss of your job, and a host of other costly consequences. By taking action today, you can connect with trained DUI lawyer and maximize your chances of a positive outcome. Contact us today for a free consultation.
